Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Li Ru, accompanied by Jiang Xu and thirty soldiers, marched leisurely towards the city gate. Suddenly, he heard Zhang Lu's urgent call from behind: "Sir, please stay! Sir, please stay!" Looking back, he saw Zhang Lu, no longer concerned with the extravagant display of last time, and galloping towards them with Yang Song.

Jiang Xu looked at Li Ru with admiration and whispered, "Master, what a brilliant idea!" Li Ru smiled slightly and replied softly, "It's just a trivial trick."

As he spoke, Zhang Lu had already quickly approached. Li Ru calmly turned his horse around and asked Zhang Lu in a puzzled manner, "Tianshi, why are you in such a hurry?"

Zhang Lu approached Li Ru, slapped his forehead, and said with a broad smile, "Sir, I've been really busy with government affairs these past two days. I'm sorry for my inconvenience. I hope you'll forgive me. I just don't know why you're leaving in such a hurry."

Li Ru's expression was calm as he slowly spoke, "Since the Heavenly Master is busy with his affairs, we haven't been able to meet the Young Master yet, and the peace talks have made no progress. It's freezing cold, and the soldiers are still sleeping in the open air on the front lines. This wastes food and supplies, and wastes time. It would be better for us to return to Wudu and continue to fight on the battlefield to see who will win."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lu anxiously waved his hands and said, "Not at all! Sir, please do not start a war rashly! My nephew Ma Chao is getting along well with everyone in Hanzhong. In the future, Hanzhong and Xiliang may become as close as family, like brothers. How can we talk about war again?"

Yang Song on the side quickly agreed: "Yes, yes, sir, you have gone through so much trouble to come here, and you are leaving in such a hurry before we even discuss anything. What's the reason? Why are you so anxious?"

Li Ru's expression remained calm as he spoke slowly, "Since you truly do wish to negotiate, that's easy to do. Could you please spare a day, Master, to explain your demands in detail? We can sit down and have a good chat. That's not impossible."

Yang Song quickly nodded in agreement: "That's right, that's right. My master originally planned to invite you today, but he never expected you to leave so suddenly. Let's go back to the City Lord's Mansion and discuss it in detail."

Zhang Lu also sincerely tried to persuade Li Ru to stay. Seeing this, Li Ru pretended to be reluctant, but eventually followed them back to the City Lord's Mansion.

Everyone arrived at the meeting room. Zhang Lu was about to order his servants to invite Ma Chao when Li Ru raised his hand to interrupt him. Li Ru looked at Zhang Lu calmly and said slowly, "Master, don't invite him for now. We might as well talk frankly about some things first. Once we have a clear understanding of each other, it won't be too late to invite the young master. After all, there are some things that are difficult to say in front of the young master."

Zhang Lu was slightly startled. After a moment's reflection, he felt that Li Ru's words made sense, and he gave up the idea of ​​inviting Ma Chao immediately. He slowly sat down, looked at Li Ru solemnly, and said, "Mr. Li Ru, I have been busy these past two days since you arrived in Hanzhong, and have not been able to meet you in time. But I believe you have traveled around the city and have some understanding of the situation in Hanzhong. Please tell me, what are the customs of the people in Hanzhong like? Is the government clean and honest?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ru's face lit up with a perfectly fitting smile, and he calmly began to praise, "I've been walking around Hanzhong these past few days, and everything I've seen and heard has been very impressive. The people of Hanzhong are warm and hospitable, and their customs are simple and honest, like those in a paradise on earth. Their sincerity and simplicity warm our hearts. And under your meticulous governance, the people of Hanzhong are united and determined. You are the universally respected leader in Hanzhong, and your call is answered by hundreds. Your status is unparalleled, and you are truly a blessing for the people of Hanzhong."

Zhang Lu nodded slightly, his hand unconsciously stroking his beard, revealing a slightly reserved smile, and humbly said: "Sir, you are too kind. My Hanzhong area, although the territory is not vast, but my Zhang family has been rooted here for generations. Since the founding of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, we have always cared for the believers and cared about the people. Because of this, even though Hanzhong is limited in area, the people can be closely united. To be honest, if you Xiliang insist on raising an army, even if Wudu City is unfortunately occupied, my Hanzhong will not be easily conquered. I am not arrogant, I dare not assert that I can definitely resist the Western "West Liang will certainly suffer, but at the very least, it will inflict a heavy price on Western Liang. Just like gnawing on a hard bone, you're bound to knock a few teeth out. You, sir, are well aware of this. Therefore, I'm truly perplexed. Why would you rashly launch a war against Hanzhong? Hanzhong has always been a peaceful nation, dedicated solely to the well-being of its people and its followers, never harboring any undue ambitions. What is your purpose in mobilizing such a large force? Even if Western Liang were to temporarily seize Hanzhong through military force, the people of Hanzhong, deeply attached to their homeland and their faith, might not willingly submit to your rule."

Li Ru smiled casually and said, "Master, you're wrong. If everyone lived and worked in peace and contentment, what was the purpose of all the wars between nations since ancient times? Let's not even talk about distant past events. Just look at the world right now, with its endless wars and numerous princes, what's the point? Throughout the dynasties, foreign races have periodically invaded the Central Plains. This is an era of the survival of the fittest. Master, haven't you heard the saying that possessing a treasure is a crime? Hanzhong may seem secluded and peaceful, free from conflict, but in these chaotic times, without sufficient strength, guarding what you see as peace is like a child holding gold in the market. How can it not attract covetous eyes?"

Zhang Lu frowned and sternly retorted, "While there is some truth in what you say, sir, Hanzhong has always been a place of kindness, and we have no intention of threatening anyone. Our Zhang family educates the people with the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, striving to bring peace to the people in these troubled times. Just because Hanzhong is still somewhat prosperous, does that give others reason to covet it and launch an attack? Such actions are no different from those of those bandits who burn, kill, and loot."

Li Ru shook his head slightly and said disapprovingly, "Tianshi, your kindness is certainly admirable, but these chaotic times are cruel, and you can't rely on kindness alone to protect yourself. The princes fight to expand their territory and strengthen their strength, in order to gain a foothold in this world of the survival of the fittest. Hanzhong is strategically located and rich in resources. If we don't take action, it will sooner or later be annexed by others. Xiliang's uprising is not an unprovoked provocation, but a way to survive in these chaotic times."

Zhang Lu glared at him and shouted, "The way to survive? Is it to bully the weak, to satisfy your own ambitions at the cost of the blood and suffering of the people? The people of Hanzhong are kind-hearted and hardworking. What have they done wrong? If we suffer the ravages of war because of the greed of others, is this what you call justice?"

Li Ru sneered and said, "Heavenly justice? In these troubled times, strength is Heavenly Justice. If you don't want the people of Hanzhong to suffer, you should assess the situation and surrender to Xiliang. This will not only maintain peace in Hanzhong for a while, but also allow you to continue educating the people. Why not? Otherwise, if war breaks out and people suffer, I'm afraid even you, Heavenly Master, will find it difficult to bear the consequences."

Zhang Lu was so angry that he was shaking all over. He pointed at Li Ru and said, "You are just making up stories! I, Zhang Lu, would rather die with honor than live in disgrace. Even if the soldiers and civilians of Hanzhong fight to the last drop of their blood, I will never let Xiliang succeed so easily! You want me to compromise, you have to walk over my corpse and the corpses of the people of Hanzhong!"

Seeing Zhang Lu seething with rage, Yang Song quickly put on a smile, but a sinister glint flickered in his eyes. He looked at Li Ru and said, "Mr. Li Ru, please don't speak so arrogantly. Don't you understand the current situation? Your young master, Ma Chao, is in my hands in Hanzhong. You are provoking a war so easily. Don't you care about your young master's life at all? I heard that General Ma Teng of Xiliang has long promised to hand over the Xiliang foundation to General Ma Chao. If anything happens to General Ma Chao, aren't you afraid of General Ma Teng's wrath by disregarding his life like this?"

Li Ru was stunned at first, then he turned his anger into laughter, clapping his hands several times and saying, "Good, good, good! You are finally willing to speak out your true intentions? My young master is a guest in Hanzhong, that's just an excuse. Now that things have come to this, if you have any ideas, just say it directly, and stop being so secretive!"

Zhang Lu snorted coldly, straightened his back, and stared directly at Li Ru. He said, "Hanzhong's demands are clear. Xiliang must withdraw its troops and return all previously occupied land. Furthermore, they must compensate for the losses caused by their unprovoked invasion of Wudu County. In exchange, Hanzhong can trade with Xiliang. We can put aside our hostility and share in peace."

Li Ru's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this, and he responded with a hint of sarcasm, "What if Xiliang doesn't agree? What will you do?"

A hint of ruthlessness flashed across Yang Song's face, and he immediately said, "Hmph, don't blame us for being rude. Ma Chao's life is still in our hands. If Xiliang doesn't agree to these conditions, we can't guarantee that Ma Chao will be safe."

Li Ru remained calm and composed, sneering, "Do you think Xiliang will surrender by threatening the young master's life? General Ma Teng is a man of great integrity. How could he abandon Xiliang's cause for the sake of one man's safety? Besides, how do you know there isn't a hidden agenda? Don't let this lead to disaster."

Zhang Lu frowned, his eyes revealing a hint of hesitation, but he still said firmly, "Mr. Li Ru, there's no need for your sweet talk. Now that we've put forward our conditions, we hope Xiliang will consider them carefully. Otherwise, if anything were to happen to Ma Chao, the consequences would be unbearable for Xiliang."

Upon hearing this, Li Ru was stunned for a moment, then burst into a furious laugh, which echoed throughout the conference room, tinged with sarcasm and disdain. "Hmph!" He abruptly stopped laughing, his gaze darting towards Zhang Lu and Yang Song, and demanded sharply, "Is this really what you're planning? You're even trying to threaten my young master's life. Is this what you call sincerity in peace talks? First, you demand that we, Xiliang, withdraw our troops, assume all losses, and surrender the city we labored so hard to capture, and all you offer in return is a paltry opportunity for trade? Aren't you being too naive and fanciful in your thinking?"

Zhang Lu's expression changed slightly, but he remained unfazed. He quickly waved his hand, forcing a seemingly sincere smile in an attempt to lighten the mood. "Sir, you misunderstood. Truly!" He straightened his body, looked at Li Ru calmly, and said emphatically, "We have witnessed the strength and formidable combat capabilities of the Western Liang army in this battle. We sincerely hope to establish a brotherly alliance with the Western Liang, and this is no empty promise. If Western Liang encounters war in the future, Hanzhong will not sit idly by and will do its utmost to assist."